I honestly think, that if you visit a city on a day when the weather is unbelievably bad, and you still come away thinking, “that was really lovely” (despite being soaked to the skin, and having had to invest in a Belgian (or should that be Slovenian) Waffle to warm you up on the way back to the car (not such a hardship!)), then it has most definitely been worth it.
If a place leaves you thinking that it had far more to it than you had ever expected it to, and that you should have visited for far longer in the first place, then kick yourself in the shin if you can manage it, because that’s exactly what I should have done… Ljubljana is beautiful, and well worth a long weekend at the very least.
We first drove down through Slovenia on our way to Istria in the summer. At first it wasn’t hard to spot the mixture of influences from the various countries on its doorstep, but having now explored it that little bit further, it’s also very much its own “person”, with lots of stunning scenery – a mass of mountains, lakes (including one particularly famous one!), and a very decent wine and food heritage (friends of ours recently made the trek from Munich to Hisa Franko for a night after seeing it on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table“, and proclaimed it to be one of the best meals they have ever eaten!). And, as it just seems to be just popping up on the travel/tourism radar, what better time to visit before Slovenia gets a bit “been there, done that”? We spend a whole day there during our week of log cabin excess, it’s only an hour and a half’s drive from Carinthia after all…
So what does Slovenia’s capital look like? This kind of “photo essay” should give you some idea… Obviously I haven’t captured all of this gorgeous little city (I am planning on going back to do that further), but if this little lot helped to inspire you to visit, you can thank me once you get back from that long weekend…
Of course we had to say hi to Ljubljana’s famous inhabitants on Dragon Bridge (known locally as Mother in Law Bridge!) – apparently an old legend says that Jason (from Argonaut fame) actually founded Ljubljana, and obviously had to get rid of the resident dragon before it had a chance to eat everyone’s klobasa…
Having said hello to magnificent beasts, we also had to take a closer look at the love locked lined bridge a little further down (inspecting love locks is a bit of an obsession for the smaller folk, with sibling competitions as to who can find the funniest names/messages!) where we found what we thought might be dragon offspring, before a quick wander around the market.
Despite the rain, the market was still bustling, and we were impressed with the range and quality of the produce, not to mention the cheese vending machines (genius!). Don’t miss the official weighing scales just in case you think your local market vendor has been “adjusting” theirs! I really wanted to ask if anyone still used these, but sadly my Slovenian is not up to much!…
From here we took a little street behind the church, which could well be known as flower alley judging by the stalls. For the Small Boy however, it will probably forever be remembered as something else (probably rude) as he managed to get one shoe lace caught on the other, resulting in a completely overly dramatic fall (and a full accompaniment of wailing and moaning) that a professional footballer could possibly be proud of. Thankfully however, my children take after me in that they can usually be placated/comforted/blackmailed with food, hence a necessary klobasa pit stop. You can’t come to Slovenia and not try one at the legendary Klobasarna anyway (unless you are vegetarian obviously!), you can’t miss it, look for the giant sausages hanging outside the door!
Talking of food… Do stop off at Cafe Lolita for the thickest most decadent hot chocolate (ordered by the Small People, and consented to by moi, knowing fully well that they can never get through more than a quarter of a cup each!) when your team are flagging – a slightly dubious name perhaps, but really fabulous macarons (thanks for the recommendation Kinga!)! And if you are not too busy staring at the creations on your plate, don’t forget to look up!
You could also do far worse than having lunch at Robba, a stylish little joint (with an interior straight out of the pages of a design mag) in the middle of the city. The food’s really good, and the staff are super friendly (and remained so even when our tiny grumpy Ewok baby protested that his (parent provided) food wasn’t coming quickly enough!)
And finally on the foodie front, that (completely necessary for warmth) Slovenian waffle I told you about? They can be found at the sweetly named Gelateria Romantika. I swear I am not exaggerating when I say this is possibly the best waffle I have ever eaten, and believe me I have had a few… Thanks to the small people who don’t tend to ever feel the cold, I got to sample the ice-cream here too. It definitely lives up to the hype, and there are a few unusual flavours (like tahini and honey) that sound different, but work exceptionally well…
Do also take time to inspect a few shops while you are here. I am not that much of an enthusiastic shopper in Munich (unless you count the flea markets and antik halls) but this little city has lots of little boutiquey shops that reminded me of life in Copenhagen, and had me wishing I didn’t have the entire family “helping me to look for things”…
And, just before you head back to the car (with your waffle!) – take some time to wander down a few quieter streets “off the map” so to speak. A lot of Ljubljana’s architecture is stunning…
Thank you lovely Ljubljana, you completely surprised us. I am looking on this first visit as a taster, and we will most definitely be back…
(Emona – Ljubljana’s Roman name)…
Wilbur says
You have sold it to me! Definitely a destination for me soon. City tripping
Emma says
Thanks Wilbur! :)
Ava @ My Meena Life says
It’s always great to read about a trip where the destination was enjoyed like that, especially if it was unexpected or in spite of less appealing circumstances (like rain). Glad to hear it was so lovely! #citytripping
Emma says
It really was lovely! Thanks Ava! :)
Cathy (MummyTravels) says
I absolutely loved Ljubljana when I visited – it really is unexpected but I defy anyone not to completely fall for this lovely city. Having spent a long weekend, there’s definitely plenty to do there as well. #citytripping
Emma says
Thanks Cathy! It’s really lovely isn’t it? I will go back for longer one day…
Nell (the Pigeon Pair and Me) says
Ljubljana certainly does sound enticing. And if you reckon the best waffels are to be had there, then that’s a strong recommendation! #citytripping
Emma says
They were really really good! :D Thanks Nell!
Kate Williams says
You had me at the cheese vending machine ;) It looks fantastic there!
Emma says
Can you imagine late at night? Perfect! :D Thanks Kate! :D
Upeksha says
Great article! I’ve saved this to my Slovenia pin board. #citytripping
Emma says
Thank you Upeksha! :)
Elizbaeth (Wander Mum) says
Yum, that waffle looks divine! There’s certainly plenty of tasty food to sample there. I have been reading lots about Ljubljana recently – it’s definitely on my list. You photos have captured a very pretty place even in bad weather. I am not surprised you want to return. Thanks for linking #citytripping
Emma says
Thanks so much Elizbaeth! :)
Catherine's Cultural Wednesdays says
Cheese vending machine, worth visiting for that alone!
#City Tripping
Emma says
Just a gourmet’s idea of paradise! :D Thanks Catherine!
Trish says
Ooh yes I think I would like it here – very pretty even in the rain. I love the food suggestions too, especially macarons at Café Lolita.
Emma says
I KNOW you would both love it! Put it on your list! :) x
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) says
nice photos! Ljubljana is lovely #citytripping
Emma says
It really is! Thank you Tanja! :)
Notmyyearoff says
It looks like a really lovely place and I had no idea that Jason from the Argonauts had founded anywhere at all. Love the mother in law bridge though :D. I think sometime when you don’t have enough time to do absolutely everything, it leaves you thirsty for next time which is a good thing x
Emma says
I think the Jason thing is a big old Legend, probably by someone who just liked Dragons! :D That’s very true about wanting to go back! Thanks Tas! :) x
English Mum says
Soooo… delicious sausage, a cheese vending machine and waffles to die for, as well as beautiful architecture? I think I need to pay Ljubljana a visit! xx
Emma says
I think you might just have to! :D Thanks B! :) xx
Lolo says
Ah yes! We spent less than half a day there and immediately regretted not staying longer because it turned out to me way more mesmerizing than we had thought! We went in the summer and it was incredibly hot but that didn’t stop loads of people from sitting outdoors at the restaurants, music playing and even a water sprinkler suspended in the air for refreshment. #CityTripping
Emma says
I would love to visit in the summer too! Now I know when to plan to go back! :D Thank you!
Jen Walshaw says
Well you have me sold! There looks like so much to do and a great place for a weekend with the family.
Emma says
Something for everyone! Thanks Jen! :)
Victoria says
All looks and sounds lovely! Gorgeous photos especially the one of B.xx
Emma says
Ewok Baby!! Thank you xx
Ness says
It must be good if the rain didn’t dampen your fun during the day. It’s got that lovely old style European feel about it with the masses of handing baskets, ornate doors and cobbled streets.
Emma says
Ljubljana does like a hanging basket or two! Thanks Ness!
Cerys says
The architecture there is so beautiful. I’ve recently added it to my bucket list as it looks such an interesting country to explore.
Emma says
You must go, I think it’s really worth it! Thanks Cerys! :)
Midlife Singlemum says
I love all these old European towns from Barcelona to Ljubljana and from Amsterdam to Athens. There’s something magical that you just don’t find in e.g. Watford. (Although you possibly will find a bit of it in Cambridge :~) )
Emma says
I blinking hope so! :D Thanks R! :) x
Louise says
Stunning architecture! I agree if somewhere is good in the rain it is good! Those waffles sound divinexx
Emma says
Thank you Louise! :)
Rachel @ Coffee, Cake, Kids says
Anywhere with a cheese vending machine is somewhere I want to visit! It looks beautiful there – I would never have thought of visiting !
Emma says
Thank you Rachel! It needs a cracker one too though! :D